Impatiens plant named `Pinky Gini`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of impatiens plant named Pinky Gini, characterized by its very small dark green leaves and small flowers, with the flowers standing well above the leaves, red-purple flower color with a white center eye; excellent self-branching and compact growth habit, and its very early flowering.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofimpatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens, commercially known asNew Guinea Impatiens, and known by the cultivar name Pinky Gini.

The new cultivar was developed by the inventor Klara Dehan in MishmarHashiva, Israel in a controlled breeding program. The female or seedparent was a cultivar identified by the breeding number 80 PR, and themale or pollen parent was a cultivar identified by the breeding number72 LR. Both parents are proprietary cultivars used in the breedingprogram. The new cultivar was selected by the inventor from the progenyof the stated cross.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings by theinventor in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel has established that the uniquefeatures of this new impatiens are stabilized and are reproduced true totype by successive propagations.

The following characteristics in combination distinguish the newimpatiens Pinki Gini from both its parent varieties and other cultivatedImpatiens of this type known and used in the floriculture industry:

1. The primary distinguishing features are the relatively small flowersand the small leaves, with the flowers standing well above the leaves.

2. The flowers are red-purple with a white center eye.

3. The small leaves are dark green in color.

4. Excellent self-branching.

5. The cultivar is particularly suitable for small pots 7-10 cm indiameter.

6. The cultivar can be propagated by leaf cuttings year around.

7. Very early flowering.

The accompanying color photographic drawing illustrates the overallappearance of the cultivar, with the colors being as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in a colored reproduction of this type.The flower color of the new cultivar is not accurately illustrated, withthe actual color being more purple and less red. The color valuesdescribed below are accurate.

The following is a detailed description of the new impatiens cultivarbased on plants produced under commercial practice in Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The plants described were grown in a net-covered greenhouseduring the summer season with temperatures ranging from 35° C. maximumto 18° C. minimum. Color references are made to the Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

Parentage: The female parent 80 PR and the male parent 72 LR areseedlings from breeding program.

Propagation:

Type cutting.--Leaf cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--7-8 days at 25° C. in summer; 8-9 days at 20°C. in winter.

Rooting habit.--Roots well.

Plant description:

Form.--Excellent self-branching produces a full, rounded symmetricalplant.

Habit of growth.--Compact growth habit; the plant is particularly suitedto small pots 7-10 cm in diameter.

Foliage.--Size: Small; mature leaves 5.0 cm long and 2.0 cm wide. Shape:Lanceolate to ovate. Margin: Serrated. Color: Young and mature foliage,top side 147A; under side 147B. Venation: Light green.

Flowering description:

Flowering habits.--Flowering is very early. The initiation of flowerbuds takes about 5 weeks from potting leaf cutting. Flowers arecompletely open approximately 7 weeks after potting.

Natural flowering season.--The new cultivar flowers under ambientconditions in Israel all year, but in the winter season with less light,there are fewer flowers.

Flower buds.--Buds before opening are small, approximately 1.0 cm inlength and 0.8 cm in width. Length of spur is 2.5 cm, and length ofpedicel is 2.5 cm.

Flowers borne.--Flowers fully open from initiation in about 2 weeks;flowering continues all season.

Quantity of flowers.--Very floriferous; 20-25 flowers are open at thesame time, with continuous flowering.

Petals.--Two (2) pairs of heart-shaped petals and a single larger petal;petals overlap. Color: Top side when opening 72B-C, fading slightly to74B; white center eye; under side 72C; Number of petals: Five (5). Sizeof Flowers: Small; approximately 4 cm in diameter.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: One (1) in number. Anthers: Round, colorlight red. Pollen color: White. Pistils: Stigma: Round in shape, nearlywhite in color. Ovaries: Four (4) in number, 1 mm in size; light greenin color.

Disease resistance: No significant disease problem noted to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named PinkyGini, as illustrated and described.